Italy's Revenue Agency to Issue 11 Million Tax Notices, Many Potentially Erroneous

The Agenzia delle Entrate‑Riscossione is preparing to dispatch roughly 11 million tax notices to households, self‑employed workers and companies across Italy. About 19 million taxpayers already have at least one outstanding debt, with an average exposure of €5,800 per person.

More than one‑third of the upcoming notices concern credits that are difficult or impossible to collect – debts tied to deceased individuals without heirs, liquidated limited companies, persons with no taxable assets, or debts that have expired under prescription. For debts deemed enforceable, the agency can apply coercive measures such as vehicle immobilisation, property mortgages (for debts above €20,000) and wage or bank‑account garnishment through electronic invoicing data.

Experts advise recipients to scrutinise each notice before paying. Key checks include verifying whether the statutory prescription period has passed, confirming that the notification was sent to the correct address or certified email, and ensuring that penalties and interest have been correctly calculated. When in doubt, taxpayers are urged to consult a tax professional or a local assistance centre (CAF). The wave of notices could affect many families and firms, bringing both financial strain and administrative costs for the state.